Biblical Context:
The arrival of the Ark of the Covenant in Beth-shemesh is a significant event recorded in the Old Testament, specifically in 1 Samuel 6. This event occurs after the Philistines, who had captured the Ark during a battle with the Israelites, decide to return it due to the calamities it brought upon them.

Historical Background:
The Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest built by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. It symbolized God's presence among His people and was central to Israelite worship and identity. The Philistines captured the Ark after defeating the Israelites at the battle of Aphek (1 Samuel 4), leading to a period of distress for Israel and divine retribution for the Philistines.

The Return of the Ark:
After seven months of suffering plagues and misfortune, the Philistines sought to rid themselves of the Ark. They consulted their priests and diviners, who advised them to send it back with a guilt offering to appease the God of Israel. The Philistines placed the Ark on a new cart, accompanied by golden tumors and rats as a guilt offering, and hitched it to two cows that had never been yoked. The cows, guided by divine intervention, headed straight for Beth-shemesh, a Levitical city in the territory of Judah.

Arrival in Beth-shemesh:
The people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley when they saw the Ark approaching. Overjoyed, they stopped their work to welcome it. The cart came to a halt in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh, where a large stone was located. The Levites took down the Ark and the chest containing the gold objects and placed them on the stone. The people of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrifices to the LORD that day.

Biblical Account:
1 Samuel 6:13-15 describes the scene: "Now the people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they rejoiced at the sight. The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there near a large rock. The people chopped up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the LORD. The Levites took down the ark of the LORD and the chest containing the gold objects and placed them on the large rock. And that day the people of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the LORD."

The Aftermath:
Despite the initial joy, the arrival of the Ark also brought tragedy. Some men of Beth-shemesh looked inside the Ark, an act of irreverence, and as a result, the LORD struck down seventy of them. This event instilled a renewed fear of the LORD among the people, prompting them to send messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim to take the Ark to their city.

Theological Significance:
The return of the Ark to Beth-shemesh underscores the holiness and power of God, as well as the importance of reverence and obedience to His commands. The Ark's journey from Philistine territory back to Israelite hands illustrates God's sovereignty and the futility of opposing His will. The incident serves as a reminder of the need for proper worship and the consequences of treating sacred things with contempt.